Southern Methodist University

www.smu.edu

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$53,464

2.9% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$41,986

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

1.15%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

53.1%

15,685 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

12,385

75.6% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

82.4%

1,129 Graduates

About

Southern Methodist University is a higher education institution located in Dallas County, TX. In 2021, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Southern Methodist University were Management Science (422 degrees awarded), Other Education (139 degrees), and Information Science (116 degrees).

In 2021, 4,258 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Southern Methodist University. 49.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 50.1% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (2,439 degrees), 4.8 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (508 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Southern Methodist University is $53,464, which is $24,472 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

Photo by Roy Luck

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Southern Methodist University is $53,464, which is $24,472 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $41,986.

In 2021, 72% of undergraduate students attending Southern Methodist University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 22% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$53,464

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Southern Methodist University was $53,464. The cost of tuition at Southern Methodist University is $24,472 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Southern Methodist University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$41,986

2021 Value

1.31%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Southern Methodist University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $41,986. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Southern Methodist University grew by 1.31%.

This chart compares the average net price of Southern Methodist University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$12,905

Room and Board

$800

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Southern Methodist University was of $12,905 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 1.41% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $800. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Southern Methodist University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

72%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

22%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

72% of undergraduate students at Southern Methodist University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 1.41% with respect to 2020, when 71% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Southern Methodist University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

1.15%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Southern Methodist University was 1.15%, which represents 17 out of the 1478 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Southern Methodist University received 15,685 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 12% annual growth. Out of those 15,685 applicants, 8,333 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 53.1% acceptance rate.

There were 12,385 students enrolled at Southern Methodist University in 2021. 16% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Southern Methodist University has an overall enrollment yield of 18.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

53.1%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

8,333

Accepted Out of 15,685

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Southern Methodist University was 53.1% (8,333 admissions from 15,685 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 52.7%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 12%, while admissions grew by 12.9%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Southern Methodist University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

16%

Submission Percentage (2021)

255

Scores Submitted (2021)

16% of enrolled first-time students at Southern Methodist University in 2021 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Southern Methodist University had a total enrollment of 12,385 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Southern Methodist University is 9,366 students and the part-time enrollment is 3,019. This means that 75.6% of students enrolled at Southern Methodist University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Southern Methodist University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 58.1% White, 13.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.86% Asian, 7.03% Black or African American, 3.79% Two or More Races, 0.186% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0807% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Southern Methodist University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (32%), followed by White Female (31%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (7.07%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (27.1%), followed by White Female (25.8%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (6.82%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

75.6%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Southern Methodist University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 12,385 students. The full-time enrollment at Southern Methodist University is 9,366 and the part-time enrollment is 3,019. This means that 75.6% of students enrolled at Southern Methodist University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.6% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Southern Methodist University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

91%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Southern Methodist University was 91%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Southern Methodist University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Southern Methodist University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
7,198 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,675 enrolled students
Asian
974 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Southern Methodist University is 58.1% White, 13.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.86% Asian, 7.03% Black or African American, 3.79% Two or More Races, 0.186% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0807% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 48.9% White, 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.56% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 165 students (1.33%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 10 fewer women than men received degrees from Southern Methodist University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Southern Methodist University is white (2,439 degrees awarded). There were 4.8 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (508 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at Southern Methodist University is Management Science (422 degrees awarded), followed by Other Education (139 degrees) and Information Science (116 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Southern Methodist University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Communication Technologies (102 degrees awarded), Math & Statistics (275 degrees), and Legal (261 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Clergy

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southern Methodist University are Clergy (107,511 people), Postsecondary teachers (70,937 people), Software developers (58,204 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (54,610 people), and Other managers (53,332 people).

The most specialized majors at Southern Methodist University in 2021 are Communication Technologies (102 degrees awarded), Math & Statistics (275 degrees), Legal (261 degrees), THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS. (83 degrees), and PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES. (42 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southern Methodist University are Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Aerospace engineers, Physicians, and Computer and information research scientists

The most specialized majors at Southern Methodist University are Communication Technologies (102 degrees awarded), Math & Statistics (275 degrees), Legal (261 degrees), THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS. (83 degrees), and PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES. (42 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southern Methodist University are Elementary & secondary schools (138,526 people), Religious organizations (119,533 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (116,645 people), Computer Systems Design (86,589 people), and Legal services (48,751 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Southern Methodist University.

Most Common (2021)

General Finance
297 degrees awarded
General Economics
195 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
93 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Southern Methodist University was General Finance with 297 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Southern Methodist University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

2,134

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

2,124

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 2,134 degrees were awarded to men at Southern Methodist University, which is 1 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,124).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Southern Methodist University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 265 degrees were awarded to men at Southern Methodist University in Management Science, which is 1.69 times more than the 157 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 157 degrees were awarded to men at Southern Methodist University in Management Science, which is 0.592 times less than the 265 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

72%

100% Completion Time

81%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 72% of students graduating from Southern Methodist University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 81% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 82% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Male

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Southern Methodist University is Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.177% of graduates (2 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
2,439 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
508 degrees awarded
Asian
315 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Southern Methodist University is white (2,439 degrees awarded). There were 4.8 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (508 degrees).

0.587% of degree recipients (25 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Male
1,262 degrees awarded
White Female
1,177 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
298 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Southern Methodist University is white male (1,262 degrees awarded). There were 1.07 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1177 degrees).

Operations

Southern Methodist University has an endowment valued at nearly $2.07B, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 515M (24.9%) compared to the 10.4% average return (40.5M on 388M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2021, Southern Methodist University had a total salary expenditure of 576M. Southern Methodist University employs 209 Professors, 143 Associate professors and 141 Lecturers. Most academics at Southern Methodist University are Male Professor (159), Female Lecturer (93), and Male Associate professor (93).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Southern Methodist University are: Management, with 750 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 180 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 158 employees.

Endowment

$2.07B

2021 Endowment

28.2%

growth from 2020

Southern Methodist University has an endowment valued at about $2.07B, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Southern Methodist University grew 28.2% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $1.68B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Southern Methodist University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$33M - Federal
$4.89M - State
$445k - Local

As of 2021, Southern Methodist University received $33M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $4.89M from state grants and contracts, and $445k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$277M

2021 Salaries

3.4%

growth from 2020

In 2021, Southern Methodist University paid a median of $277M in salaries, which represents 48.1% of their overall expenditure ($576M) and a 3.4% growth from the previous year.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 234M (42.8% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$88.2M

Instructional Salaries

723

Number of Employees

In 2021, Southern Methodist University paid a total of $88.2M to 723 employees working as instructors, which represents 31.8% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $71M (30.3%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

209 Employees

Management

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

750 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Southern Methodist University were Professor with 209 employees, Associate professor with 143 employees, and Lecturer with 141 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Southern Methodist University were Management with 750 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 180 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 158 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Lecturer
Male Associate professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Southern Methodist University was Male Professor with 159 employees, Female Lecturer with 93 employees, and Male Associate professor with 93 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Southern Methodist University.